Sunday, November 26

Elephant 6 goodness: new releases

There's a good bit of exciting material coming out of the Elephant 6 camp. I've already mentioned the forthcoming album from Of Montreal (due out in January) here. In addition to that release, there are also new or forthcoming releases from Summer Hymns, Ladybug Transistor, and Apples in Stereo.

The new Summer Hymns album, Backward Masks, was released this month. The album is available from Misra Records. Unfortunately, I haven't picked this one up yet, but Paul at The Yellow Stereo has given it a glowing review. Based on what I have heard, it sounds like more of the sweet folk-laced pop that Summer Hymns have long churned out. Here are two tracks from Backward Masks courtesy of Misra:

The Brooklyn/Marlborough Farms contingent has also unleashed a new release. Ladybug Transistor has just issued a 4-song EP of covers titled Here Comes the Rain. Tackling tunes by Grin, Trader Horne, John Cale, and Kevin Ayers, the EP was released on Spanish label Green UFOs on November 1. It is available for download from Merge Records (for $4!) or you can order a hard copy from Other Music ($9.99 + S&H). I finally got around to ordering mine last night after hearing the title track on their MySpace page. Fans of Jens Lekman will be interested in knowing that he guests on that track as well. Unfortunately, I don't have it yet to share a track, but here are two songs from their most recent full (self-titled) album:

In addition to those releases, the forthcoming record from Apples in Stereo, New Magnetic Wonder, has been getting positive early buzz. It doesn't hit store shelves until February, but Yep Roc Records has already begun taking pre-orders for the release. They've also made available an Apples in Stereo SuperFan Pack that includes an enhanced CD, double LP, a holiday single, an autographed poster, a T-shirt, and other goodies. Of course you can order just the album too if you wish. Word is that Jeff Mangum guests on the album too, which is quite nifty. In the meantime, here are tracks from prior Apples in Stereo releases: